Our source for Live+7 DVR ratings includes only original, regular programs, excluding both repeats (which are unlikely to be heavily DVR viewed) and "specials".

During the thirty-first week of the 2012-2013 season (April 22-28),The Big Bang Theorytopped the rankings for the week's DVR viewing adults 18-49 ratings added between the Live+Same Day period (as reported in all our other ratings posts) and the Live + 7 Day measurement periods with a gain of 2.1 adults 18-49 ratings points.

The 18-49 Demo % Increase From DVR Viewing ranks which of the top broadcast shows [by Live+7 18-49 ratings] had the largest percentage adults 18-49 ratings increase in viewing by DVR in their adults 18-49 Live+7 audience numbers from viewers watching shows after the airdate on their digital video recorders (DVRs).
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The average viewership increase From DVR Viewing ranks which of the top broadcast shows [by Live+7 viewers] had the largest absolute increase in average viewership by DVR between the Live + Same Day and Live + 7 day ratings measurements.Do the Live+7 ratings tell us anything about a show's renewal prospects we didn't already know from the Live+Same Day ratings? No. Click here to learn more.

DVR (Time-shifted) Adults 18-49 Ratings – Program ratings for national sources are produced in three streams of data Live, Live+Same Day(Live+SD) and Live+7 Day. Time shifted figures account for incremental viewing that takes place with DVRs.

Live+Same Day(Live+SD) ratings include viewing during the same broadcast day as the original telecast, with a cut-off of 3:00AM local time when meters transmit daily viewing to Nielsen for processing.

Live+7 Day ratings include incremental viewing that takes place during the 7 days following a telecast.

DVR Ratings Increase Past Airdate - How many people watched the show on their DVRs within 7 days following the airdate

Until the 2009-2010 season, we used a show's LIVE program rating or viewership as the base upon which the LIVE+7 day DVR viewing was added. Now, the press seems to be standardizing around using LIVE+SAME DAY DVR viewing as the base for the calculations, so that's what we do now as well.

I read somewhere that these numbers do not include viewers who watch shows online.

You are right. These numbers only include TV viewing within 7 days of the original airing.

And yet, those viewers are an important sub set, are they not?

Kind of, not really yet. Ratings exist to set advertising rates. Since even online viewing with ads don’t air the same ads, a combined rating would be worthless. In addition, right now, advertisers are willing to pay much, much, much higher rates for TV viewing than online viewing.

The networks know how many people are watching through legal online sources, but they are not part of these ratings and don’t make the nets much money yet.

CybearSpace

Thank you for the reply.

To clarify, I’m talking about legal viewers online, who, for the reasons you propose, are not an important sub set of all people who watch – at least not yet.

Okay. But I thought that the writers of scripted-drama made a big song and dance over it all when they went on strike all those years ago. *shrugs*

Giuppy

Could you please tell me the final ratings of the spectators for the second half season of Supernatural, including DVR? Thank you very much.